India pacer Mohammed Siraj gave centurion Travis Head an aggressive send-off in the second session of Day 2's play at Adelaide Oval. Siraj's send-off led to a response from Head as he walked back to the dressing room. When asked about the incident, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar felt that the send-off was anniversary. Instead, Gavaskar feels that Siraj should have applauded Head for a fine knock and it would help him earn the crowd's respect.
"Unnecessary. Completely uncalled for. The guy has scored 140! If he had scored one or two, and you give him a send-off, that's a completely different thing," said the cricketer-turned-commentator while speaking to the broadcaster.
'He is a local hero. By giving Head a send-off, Siraj became the villain for the crowd. Had he applauded his century, he would have been appreciated," he added.
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden was asked the same question as well. While Hayden feels that a bowler can be aggressive, he said, "You should know how to be humble".
After the dismissal, the on-field umpire had a conversation with Siraj. He was booed by the crowd when he ran in to bowl the next ball. In the next over, the crowd booed him again when the ball went to him. He responded to the booes with a smile.
Earlier in the pink-ball Test, Siraj had a few heated exchanges with Marnus Labuschagne as well. He threw the ball when Labuschagne pulled off his stance as there was a spectator walking by in the background.
Siraj may get pulled up by the match referee Ranjan Madugalle and receive demerit point for the aggressive send-off.
Siraj takes four-fer
While Harshit Rana remained wicketless, Siraj took a four-wicket haul. In the third session, he mopped up the tail with the wickets of Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. He bowled the most in the innings. From 24.3 overs, five were maidens. He conceded 98 runs including two no balls.
